2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public health degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Health Schools
For return on investment in public health, no school beat California State University Los Angeles this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Public Health graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Public Health graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $40,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #3. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $48,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #5. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $51,772. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Northridge placed #6 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $14,000. Early-career public health graduates make about $54,044. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Sacramento ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $49,907. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Long Beach ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $13,480 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $50,362. That is a strong return on a $13,480 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Foothill College earned the #9 position for value in public health this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $11,595. Early-career public health graduates make about $94,152. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
University Of California San Diego earned the #10 position for value in public health this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $15,280. Early-career public health graduates make about $39,144. Set against $15,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
California State University East Bay earned the #11 position for value in public health this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Public Health graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University San Marcos came in at #12 for value in public health this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $17,527. Early-career public health graduates make about $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #13 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanford University placed #14 among the best values for public health. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Public Health graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $17,285. Early-career public health graduates make about $51,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Merced landed the #16 spot for public health value this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $15,502. Early-career public health graduates make about $36,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
San Francisco State University came in at #17 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Public Health graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $64,055 early in their careers. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #18 among the best values for public health. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $95,337. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
San Jose State University landed the #19 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #20 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Public Health graduates carry a median of $11,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $63,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Public Health graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $45,339 early in their careers. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
Cabrillo College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Cabrillo College is a large public school located in the suburb of Aptos. In-state tuition and fees average $1,270, while out-of-state students pay about $9,862. Public Health graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #23 spot for public health value this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
San Diego State University earned the #24 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $13,812 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $55,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,812 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis came in at #25 for value in public health this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $52,119 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Public Health Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public health this year:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public health education at a price that pays off.
